Straw Bale Construction Workshop – July 4-5 - Join us for this two-day, hands-on workshop on straw-bale construction for all skill levels.  The two days will be packed with the basics of working with straw bales.  Topics include stacking, customizing, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing, and problem shooting.  We will also discuss design principles, prep, detailing, plasters, and the ever-evolving field of natural building.  We will be raising the walls to a newly constructed timber-frame straw-bale home.  Celebrate the independence of building your own home with us.  Lunches included.  $200-250.

Straw Bale Construction Immersion – July 1-7 - Full immersion experience in straw bale construction from start to finish of straw bale installation.  Includes a 2-day workshop as well as a week of hands-on instructional experience.  This is an opportunity for those interested in immersing themselves in the details and on-going problem solving of straw-bale construction.  $600-750.  Space is limited.  Inquire for application details.

Natural Plasters Workshop – late summer 2009 – Join us for this two-day hands-on workshop on natural plasters with a focus on their application in straw bale construction.  For all skill levels.  You will leave with a basic understanding of prepping, mixing and applying natural plaster.  We will address topics including various mixing methods, tool use, properties of plaster components, material estimation, and how to approach different scale projects.  This workshop couples well with the Straw Bale Workshop..  Lunches included.  $200-250.

Natural Plasters Immersion – late summer 2009 – Learn the ins and outs of plaster for a straw bale building.  The shadowing experience includes a two-day workshop as well as a week of hands on instructional experience.  Shadows will literally get into the nitty gritty of mudding, including developing  appropriate recipes, qualities of clay and lime in plaster, and refining tool use.  The shadow is an opportunity for those interested in gaining a thourough understanding of plaster fundamentals.  $500-650.  Can be combined with the Straw Bale Immersion.  Inquire for application details.

Workshop Information

All workshops are held in Grafton, NY.  We will send directions along with a confirmation packet of complete information and directions when after we receive the registration form with a deposit.

Grafton Inn Bed and Breakfast (about 1-2 minutes)

not on the internet

Run by Elsie and Kenny

$95/ night for double room (not per person), $80/single room.  Full breakfast.  10% discount with multiple nights.

They have 5 rooms which were all vacant at the time of writing this.

(518) 279-9489

Rainbow Camp (about 1-3 minutes)

This is a very simple camp house on a pond just down the road owned by our community.  There is a shared kitchen, flush toilet, beds, and running water, as well as a lake to swim in.  You can also pitch a tent there and use the amenities inside.

$10-25/night sliding scale.

Coordinate with Jonah if interested.

Cherry Plain State Park (25 minutes)

(800) 456-2267 for reservations